Walk Score

I found this interesting site today, called walkscore.com. You put in your home address and it tells you how walkable your city (or area in the city) is. The purpose is to find a walkable city to live to better improve your health, cut down on greenhouse gases, and improve your local economy by supporting local businesses.

The website fully admits its flaws, such as using direct distances, not walking distance (aka, they draw a straight line from place a to place b, instead of using travel directions). They also don't take into account public transit, weather, hills, walk ability of streets, bodies of water or major highways (you might just find yourself swimming to get to the grocery store). But what they do have going for them is finding places that are walkable based on a city center, density of businesses and residences, parks and public space, nearby schools and workplaces.

To quote their website:
"Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walk ability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Walk Score measures how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle—not how pretty the area is for walking.

Your Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100. Here are general guidelines for interpreting your score:
90–100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people get by without owning a car.
70–89 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
50–69 = Somewhat Walkable: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
25–49 = Car-Dependent: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
0–24 = Car-Dependent (Driving Only): Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!"

I put in my current address and score a 58 or Somewhat Walkable.
Our previous residence (only 0.9km from our current location) scored a 43 or Car-Dependant.

They base points on amenities being within 1 mile (1.6km) from your home. If amenities are within 1/4 mile (or 0.4km), the points are higher. No points are awarded for any amenity that is over 1.6km (1 mile) from your home.

My Observations:
Our current location is only 2.2km (using roads and not cutting through parks etc) from Seven Oaks Mall. Its about a 25 minute walk Maximum (while using the road and NOT shortcuts). I find it very weird (for lack of a better word), that our locations are considered car dependant and somewhat walkable. I consider them to be VERY walkable. I am in shock that our previous house was considered car dependant. I lived there for 4 years and had no car for 3 of those years. It was very walkable. At times, it was annoying to hike for 30 minutes one way carrying bags of groceries in a foot of snow, but we made it. And now, i wouldn't have it any other way. We have all amenities within our reach (30 minute walk max). And when things are out of our reach, there is public transportation that can take us there.

I find it interesting that a gym is considered a necessary amenity (and oddly the furthest "listed" amenity on our list-although there is a closer location, but only for woman). But if i am car-INDEPENDENT, then why do i need a gym? I get all the exercise i need walking everywhere and carrying groceries home. (or at least i hope so!).

Perhaps, walkscore's method isn't incorrect, its the maximum distance that they consider "walkable" that needs to change. And maybe its our 'American' mindset that needs a bit of changing. We consider that it takes too long or is too far for us to walk, when in reality its probably not. Its just our laziness and busy lifestyles that don't allow us to break the mold and leave our cars at home.

Another website i read today suggested a few ways to increase the amount of steps we take in a day. (Thank-you wisebread.com)
1: WALK from the back of the parking lot.
2: WALK up and down the stairs.
3: WALK on your breaks.
4: WALK your dog (or someone else’s).
5: WALK to the beat. (or your mp3 player)

Perhaps I may add a few more suggestions:
1. Walk between stores that are in the same vicinity, rather than taking the car.
2. Walk one of the beautiful trails that Abbotsford has (and try walking to it, rather than driving)
3. Find one amenity near your home and walk there instead of drive. Look up the distance on google maps when you get home to find out the distance. You'll be amazed at how far you can walk.
4. Walk to church. Or bike. Or take transit.
5. Choose to leave your car at home and find an alternate mode of transportation (bike, transit, walk etc). It'll do you well.

But most importantly, don't let numbers or website decide if your city is walkable. You be the judge. And then, even if you think you can't do it, Try. Choose to change your life, one step at a time. As all these website keep telling me, "your heart will thank you!"